Article by Rob van der Gaast

Fresh reunification talks on the divided Cyprus island may lead to a triple turn over of the casino industry in North Cyprus.

Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders met, on September 3, 2008, in the separated former capital Nicosia to start new round of reunification talks after a four-year break. This is the first time since the 1974 conflict that two moderate leaders will try to solve seriously the Cyprus problem.

Greek Cypriot leader, president Demetris Christofias and his Turkish counterpart Mehmet Ali Talat started negotiations with a final goal of achieving a federation between the two communities, as agreed on earlier in 2008. Next meeting was scheduled for September 11, 2008. For the first time in the Cyprus-conflict there is finally hope and optimism, which could lead to a successful outcome.

And as that is the case, the casino owners on North Cyprus will, overnight, triple their gambling assets. Rob van der Gaast, the leader of the pack of GamblingAnalysts.eu, expects that the 20 casinos operating in North Cyprus will boom: “ We have careful calculated the new possibilities. Now, there is still only incoming, gambling, tourism coming from Turkey, with 73 million inhabitants, and a very small segment coming from incoming tourism from the Cyprus European Union member state.”

North Cyprus has been isolated from 1974 in the north and is still recognized only by Turkey. This blockade has hindered all tourism and gambling developments. “When the casino gateway fully will be opened, the market will be booming” states Rob van der Gaast. “We have executed a research. And the data are stunning.”

For casino lovers, there are still several operators in Cyprus who are willing to sell their assets, on short term. Still, life remains a gamble.

Casinos in North Cyprus

Rocks Casino in Kyrenia at Rocks Hotel
Jasmine Casino in Kyrenia at Kyrenia Jasmine Court Hotel
Colony Casino in Kyrenia at The Colony Hotel
Merdt Casino in Kyrenia at Merit Crystal Cove Hotel
Vdva Casino in Kyrenia at Olive Tree Dedeman H.V.
Acapulco Casino in Kyrenia at Acapulco Tatdl Köyü
Dome Casino in Kyrenia at Dome Hotel
Galaxy Casino in Kyrenia at Kyrenia Oscar Hotel
Ldman Casino in Kyrenia at Hotel Liman
Celebrity Casino in Kyrenia at Celebrity Hotel
Soncino Casino in Kyrenia at Serif Apart Hotel
Club Z Casino in Kyrenia at Club Z Hotel
Mercure Accor in Kyrenia at Mercure Accor Hotel
M.Cyp.Gar: Casino in Famagusta & Bafra at Merit Cyprus Gardens H.V.
Salamis in Famagusta & Bafra at Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel
Kaya Artemds Casino in Famagusta & Bafra at Kaya Artemis Resort & Casino
Palm Beach Casino in Famagusta & Bafra at Palm Beach Hotel
Dee European Casino in Famagusta & Bafra at The Dee European Hotel
Saray Casino in Nicosia at Saray Hotel
City Royal Casino in Nicosia at City Royal Hotel